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3 Ways To Be A Better Aikido Teacher (And Student!)

Aikido & Teaching Series

In one way or another, we are all teachers, and we are all students. Surely from time to time, you find yourself helping another, or getting another’s help in understanding something new. At the very least it is safe to say that we are all learners. It is in this spirit that I’m sharing my latest post on 3 Ways To Be A Better Aikido Teacher (And Student!).

This video is part 3 of a 4-part Facebook Live series on “Aikido And Teaching” that I made back in January 2018. The 1st video of this series was on the topic of “How To Choose An Aikido Teacher”, and the 2nd video was on “3 Bridging Practices For Aikido.” In this 3rd of 4 talks, I focus on why we need to continue to grow as teachers.

Here’s a summary of the points I covered more deeply in the Facebook Live broadcast.

Why is it important to be the best teacher you can be?

I began by looking at why it’s important to be the best teacher you can be. Here s a summary of points I touch on:

The responsibility of guiding others

The responsibility of transmitting the principles of Aikido

Realizing your fullest potential

Helping others realize their fullest potential

Why Aikido needs us to evolve

From here I go into the main topic by elaborating on the following 3 ways to be a better Aikido teacher.

3 Ways To Be A Better Aikido Teacher

Way #1: Waking up

The first way to become a better Aikido teacher is by “waking up.” Waking up is the essential first step in any developmental process. Without it your practice will stagnate, both as a teacher and a student. Simply put, “waking up” triggers development.

Here s a summary of points I touch on:

Development of trans-personal “states of consciousness”

Gross, Subtle, Casual, and Non-Dual states

The dropping away of fear

“Zen States” of Zanshin, Mushin, Fudo Shin, Mindfulness,

The principles of connection & intuitive response

The competency of creative resolutions

Way #2: Growing up

The second way the become a better Aikido teacher (or student) is “Growing Up.” Growing is about maturing as a teacher or student. Even though “waking up” triggers development, alone it isn’t enough. You must move forward by “growing up.” This is where the rubber meets the road because growing up means being responsible for what you have already woken up to.

Here is a summary of points on “growing up”:

The 2 meanings of growing up

Being responsible in a “moment of truth”

Stage development (ego-centric, to ethnocentric, to world-centric, to kosmo-centric)

Evolution of the self vs. arrested development

Way #3: Showing up

The third way to become a better Aikido teacher (or student) is none other than “Showing Up.” Showing up means to fully inhabit a perspective. To be a living, continuously evolving, and embodied expression of the very perspective you are representing in your teaching.

Here s a summary of points I touch on:

Perspectives are not given. They must be earned

The capacity of taking multiple perspectives is a developmental privilege

Show up is the natural culmination of the 2 previous stages

You begin to move through the world in a different way

You begin to have an impact on the world

This is the training of wisdom

I’ve already said in the previous posts in this series, but I think it’s worth saying again here:

The Last thing the world needs is another Aikido teacher. The last thing that world needs is another Aikido student. What the world needs are men and women who are dedicated to a higher Path of AIKI.

I hope you enjoy this video teaching on “3 Ways To Be A Better Aikido Teacher (And Student!)”

Question: What other way do you see as important for becoming a better Aikido teacher (or student)? Join the conversation and leave your thoughts below!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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About Me

I am an American teacher of Aikido (6th Dan, Aikikai), meditation, and Integral Practice. I am the founder and director of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, as well as the non-profit organization Aikido Without Borders in Israel/ Palestine.

For close to 20 years I have been producing innovative Aikido events such as "Aikido Practice & Inquiry", "Integral Aikido Intensives", “The Dead Sea Seminar”, "Meditation For Aikidoka", and the "Aikido At The Leading Edge" tele-summit. These paradigm-shifting events were attended by thousands of people.

My mission is to support people who are committed to a higher Path of practice in the areas of Aikido, meditation, mindfulness, personal development, embodiment and Integral Practice.

If you are passionate about developing your potential by walking a higher path of practice, you are in the right place. Welcome!

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What Teachers Are Saying…

“Miles Kessler is a rare kind of teacher. He has cultivated deep meditative discipline, he is a fully embodied Aikido master, and most importantly, his heart is wide open. You can't help but grow in his company.”
–Diane Musho Hamilton Roshi
Author of "Everything Is Workable - A Zen Guide To Conflict Resolution"

“A bow of acknowledgement to Miles for creating The Integral Dojo online. If Aikido is going to have a part to play in this rapidly changing world, then we need such "virtual dojos" to bring us together to share, collaborate and practice musubi. With this work Miles is helping us move towards leaving the world a better place.”
–Richard Strozzi-Heckler, 7th DanAuthor of "The Leadership Dojo"

“O Sensei said 'Yesterday’s technique won’t be good enough today; and today’s technique won’t be good enough tomorrow.' Miles exemplifies the spirit of exploration, continually challenging the knowledge he has acquired.”
–Richard Moon Sensei, 6th Dan
Founder of “The Art Of Extraordinary Listening”

“It is said that a teacher is like a bell. The sound you get depends on how you ring the bell. Miles Kessler has the subtle skill of asking the questions which get at the essence of things.”
–
Paul Linden Sensei, 6th Dan
Ph.D, Founder of “Being In Movement”

“Miles is one of the wisest and most human facilitators I know. I love him dearly and respect his work."–Mark WalshFounder and Director of "Integration Training".

“Miles’ teaching resonates with clarity and truth. You get a sense that his mind, heart and body are all in alignment as he speaks. His sincerity and humility makes what he offers even more accessible and valuable.”–Linda Holiday Sensei, 6th Dan
Author of "Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei "

"Miles' spiritual insight, understanding of the Integral perspective, and embodiment of the principles of Aikido make him an incredible facilitator and teacher. His unique capacity to share directly with others is an inspiring vision of human transformation.”–Patrick Cassidy Sensei, 6th DanMeditation Teacher, Conscious Conflict Resolution Facilitator

"I share a background with Miles of long-term mindfulness and aikido practice. I feel great appreciation for the energy and effort he generates to create opportunities for practitioners of aikido and mindfulness to share how they bring their practice to the world. It is such a gift!”–Wendy Palmer Sensei, 6th DanAikido Sensei, Author of "The Practice Of Freedom: Aikido Principles As A Spiritual Guide"

"Kessler Sensei embodies an abundant passion, penetrating understanding, and unusual depth of ability. Koichi Tohei Sensei once remarked that we human beings are like “people who have been bequeathed golden treasure by our parents, yet leave that treasure locked away, and instead beg for pennies”. It is my opinion that this describes much of what we see under the umbrella term “Aikido”. A welcome and bright exception would be the clarity and vision so elegantly expressed through the work of Miles Kessler Sensei.”–Lawrence Koichi Barrish, Aikido SenseiSenior Shinto Priest of Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America, Dojo-Cho Kannagara Aikido

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ABOUT ME

I am the guiding teacher of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, and also the producer of the renowned international Aikido events “The Dead Sea Seminar” and the "Aikido At The Leading Edge" tele-summit. I teach, coach, and write in the fields of Aikido and Meditation full-time. I live with my wife and 2 daughters in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where I run my full-time school and continue to develop the online training community of the Integral Dojo.